[Author's Note:
Helllllooooooo everyone! Tis I, back once more. It seems majority has spoken and I shall continue my work on the sequel. As such, no epilogue since things must happen that would make an epilogue unnecessary. Sorry about that. However, to keep you all appeased, I'm going to give you a teaser from the first chapter of the sequel, Finding a Voice. Teehee, enjoy :)
Your most faithful servant ~CosmicHorse]
Chapter 1 ~ Without You (4)
What Have You Done? – Within Temptation Feat. Keith Caputo
Three months. It had been three months since Loki and Thor had returned to Asgard.
Only Thor had returned.
Even then, Tony didn't tell Lithia that the brother to Loki had come back. "I don't think she needs to know that Thor is back Pepper." Tony said, crossing his arms as they discussed what to tell Lithia.
"She's not a little girl anymore Tony." Pepper said. "She's graduated high school, works full time with the company and has started looking for an apartment with Greta."
"But she still has the hope that Reindeer Games will come back for her. What'll happen to her when she finds out only Thor came back?" Tony asked. "I won't let her retreat into herself again."
"Tony, give her more credit than that," Pepper replied. "Just think about this: what's gonna hurt more: the fact Loki didn't come back yet, or that you knew and didn't tell her?"
"What if he never comes back Pepper?" Tony asked. "Thor's come back three times already and he swears he'll come back every month."
"True, but I'm sure there's a reason Loki hasn't returned. You ever ask?" Pepper asked.
"Yes. Every time Thor comes back, I ask about him." Tony replied. "He always has an excuse. 'Loki's busy' 'Loki couldn't come this time' 'Loki was getting fitted for a dress'."
"Dress?"
Tony gave her a look that meant he was kidding. "But… you're right. I should tell her. Maybe when Point Break comes next time, Lithia can get him to confess why Lolo hasn't come back yet." He said, rubbing his brow.
"Good." Pepper smiled and walked over to Tony's side, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "You're really getting this father thing down."
Tony rolled his eyes but smiled. "Hey guys, we're back!" Lithia's sing-song voice called from the front door.
She and Greta entered and put down their shopping bags. At 19, both girls had really filled into their new found maturity. Lithia had graduated with the highest honors their high school could bestow and had decided to forgo college and just work for Tony's company. She was one of his top developers of cutting edge technology and had even developed bestselling devices that rivaled Tony's inventions. Greta had decided to become an interior designer for prisons and was currently attending school for it. Her and Steve's relationship had never really gone anywhere but neither denied their attraction to each other.
"How was the mall girls?" Tony asked, gearing up to talk with Lithia.
"Great!" Greta replied. "Wait til you see what we bought. Pepper, I think you're gonna love this skirt Lith practically forced me to buy."
"Ooo let me see." Pepper said, drawing Greta to the side.
"Lithia, can I talk with you?" Tony asked, gesturing to the balcony.
Lithia nodded and walked to the balcony. "What's up Dad?" she asked, hopping onto the railing.
Tony was quiet, trying to piece together how to tell her. "Dad…?" Lithia asked softly, concern laced in her voice.
"I have to tell you something but… but I don't want you to be hurt kiddo." Tony said softly.
"I'll be okay no matter what." Lithia said with a smile.
Tony nodded and inhaled. "Thor has come back." Tony said.
Lithia's smile dropped. "When?" she asked quickly.
"He's already gone. He'll be back next month." Tony replied.
"And…?" She started but trailed off. It hurt her to speak his name.
Tony shook his head. Lithia looked down and hopped down. She hugged Tony. "Thank you for telling me Dad. Can I see him next time he comes?" she asked.
"Of course kiddo." Tony said, hugging her back.
Lithia pulled back. "I'm … I'm gonna go for a run alright? I'll be back for dinner." She said, pulling back and heading in.
"Alright kiddo." Tony said, smiling lightly as she walked into her room.
Lithia changed, grabbed her jogging leash and took Tiny Hulk on a run. She relished the breeze flowing through her hair and the earth beneath her sneakers. She went to the graveyard and flopped down next to Molly's grave. This was one of the few places she found solace in silence and a brief freedom from Thanos' memories. Why had only Thor returned? Hadn't Loki promised he would come back for her? What was keeping him away? Lithia just stayed there for a few moments, contemplating those questions before jogging back.
~On Asgard about 3 months ago~
Loki was quietly sitting in his library, reading up on magic when a guard entered his rooms. "The Allfather wishes to speak with you my prince." He said with a bow.
Loki marked his book and set it on a side table. He rose and walked around the guard. Odin had been summoning him since their arrival from Midgard. Entering the throne room, he inclined his head in greeting. Odin sat on his throne, Frigga seated beside him and Thor at the base of the throne. Other council members were also gathers. This was no mere family gathering. Something was up. "Ah Loki." Odin said, rising. "It is a good day for Asgard."
Loki raised an eyebrow but waited for Odin to speak. "Our annual celebration is close at hand." Odin began. "Not only do we honor our ancestors, our harvest and our successes but we also welcome back a prodigal son." He smiled toward Loki. "We shall also celebrate a betrothal."
Both Thor and Loki were surprised. Neither had been spoken to about a marriage. "At the annual festival, I shall make the betrothal of the Valkyrie Lady Mistier to my son Prince Loki official." Odin announced, a large smile on his face.
Loki's face was a mixture of shock and anger. The councilmen left with quiet murmurs on their lips. Only Odin, Frigga, Thor and Loki remained. Thor could see that Loki's anger was bubbling under his silent, frozen exterior. "I understand that this is a shock to you—" Odin began but his words finally released the rage inside of Loki.
"A shock?! No Allfather, this is not a look of shock. This is a look of rage!" Loki shouted. "You knew I have Lady Lithia back on Midgard but you engage me to this Valkyrie against my will!"
"This has been arranged since the time of your birth." Odin replied. "How could I have allowed you to abandon this engagement for some mere mortal?"
"This being the same mortal that you entrusted defeating Thanos to!..." Loki said and a slight realization set in. "You did not expect her to survive did you?"
Odin remained silent.
"DID YOU?!" Loki shouted.
Again, Odin remained silent. Loki regarded the man he had once believed to be his father. "I will not marry the Valkyrie." Loki said and turned and walked out of the throne room.
Odin called for him to return but Loki ignored him. Instead he turned and shouted one of the few profanities he had heard Lithia shout, "Shut the fuck up!"
He summoned his belongings to his side, rendering them able to be carried easily by himself. He heard Thor's footsteps approaching from behind him. "Brother, I do not wish to hear Odin's argument from you." Loki said, heading toward the stables.
"I am not here to plead Father's case." Thor said, stepping in front of him. "He does not know the attachment you hold with Lithia and I do not believe he ever will. As such, I am going to help you reunite with Lady Lithia."
Loki was skeptical. "Why would you help me?" he asked, ducking into a horse's stall.
"Because I have seen the influence Lady Lithia has had on you Brother." Thor explained. "I will not lose you again to the darkness you were once in."
Loki nodded as he tacked up his horse. A loud commotion alerted him to one of the end stalls. Large as life and full of fire, Sleipnir burst from his gilded stall and trotted up to Thor. "It appears we do not journey alone." Thor said, mounting his horse.
Loki looked at Sleipnir and mounted his horse. Quickly, the three galloped to the Bifrost. Reaching the golden portal, Loki pulled his horse up short. "Brother, I cannot allow you to walk this path with me." He said, dismounting and approaching Sleipnir. "I have always been the prodigal son. You must keep your place in Odin's eye. If nothing else, when I return, I shall need a friend."
Thor nodded and held Loki's horse while the god and Sleipnir entered the Bifrost. "To Midgard then?" Heimdall asked, his unblinking eyes resting on Loki and Sleipnir.
"To Midgard." Loki said as he and Sleipnir stepped toward the portal.
Heimdall opened the portal, pulling Loki and Sleipnir into Midgard. "Good luck." He muttered, closing the portal.
[AN: Really quick, find my forum (Voices Saga) for more up-to-date notices. Chapter status as well as creative ideas will be there. Thanks :) ~CH]